Artwork copyright Ben Marra. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Artwork copyright Ben Marra. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2017.

Siletz, 1991

Ben Marra
(American, born 1940)

Location: Henry David Thoreau Elementary, Kirkland

ABOUT THE ARTWORK

Siletz is part of a series of photographs by artist Ben Marra that document Native American powwow ceremonies. All photographs were taken on location, between dances, usually in about five minutes. He photographs the powwow competitors as he finds them, noting that "I am not creating anything but the light."

This photograph captures Chief and Elder William DePoe, of DePoe Bay, Oregon, wearing traditional ceremonial clothing. Marra notes, "He was born in 1912 in Upper Fann, Oregon (now called Logsden) to a Cheyenne mother and Siletz father. The Oregon town of DePoe Bay was named after his grandfather, Chief Charlie DePoe. He was raised by a family of leaders and educators as he accompanied his parents to varions reservations and Indian cultures. Returning home from the Navy as a World War II decorated survivor whose ship was sunk at Okinawa, he looked back to his Indian roots and realized how rapidly the cultures were being lost; and how little understanding there was of his people. He was moved to combine his love of music with his culture to compose original Indian compositions and to tell legends to be passed on. Chief wears traditional Plains Indian clothing, and Eagle feather headdress which represents his many years of service and accomplishments. The arrows on his face were marks given to him as a child by the medicine man indicating protection. He carries dancing sticks with white feathers that the little children can touch. He presents school programs, Sun dances, Rain dances; he dances at powwows, The Rose Festival, and performs with his wife, Princess White Lily, at DePoe Bay, Oregon."

This artwork was acquired for the State Art Collection in partnership with Lake Washington School District.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Seattle-based photographer Ben Marra creates images and portraits that document Native American powwows, ceremonies, and gatherings.
Marra earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Idaho in 1962. After his tour of duty in the U.S. Air Force, Ben studied photography at Brooks Institute in Santa Barbara, California, receiving a degree in 1973. He established Ben Marra Photography in 1974 in Seattle, Washington.